March 28, 2022
Banner Season: Varsity Blues seeking sixth straight figure skating title on championship stage
Burlington, Ont. - With two days of competition awaiting, the contingent of Ontario University Athletics (OUA) figure skaters are set to hit the ice for a banner season experience they haven't had in two years. Even with the extended time away from the championship stage, all eyes will be on the Toronto Varsity Blues and their five straight titles when the complete list of conference competitors head to the East Elgin Community Complex from March 29 to 30 for the 2022 OUA Figure Skating Championship.
2022 OUA Figure Skating Championship | Fan Guide
The drive for five ended with gold, and as the Varsity Blues start their search for six, they'll do so with a mix of veterans and newcomers hitting the ice. Coming off of another gold medal campaign in 2020, the team enters a bit of a rebuilding phase, but amidst both the senior and rookie contingents, the Blues have confidence in the team extending the banner-winning streak.
Anchoring the returnees is three-time OUA all-star Keiko Marshall, who has dazzled on the ice throughout her decorated varsity career. No stranger to the top of the podium, the fifth-year skater from Burlington, Ont. has collected four gold medals in her four previous championships, including back-to-back wins in the women's novice short program. Beyond her all-star performances, she has also racked up a four more medals over the year, bringing her career total to eight overall.
Marshall is poised to add to those lofty numbers heading into her fifth championship skate, entering this week's competition as the longest-tenured team member, who will compete in four events across the two days.
Standing out among the first-year additions is Marta Sellaroli, who comes to the Blues from Milan, Italy. The industrial engineering student formally represented her home country internationally and will draw on that experience for her debut OUA championship. Already making an impact on the team, Sellaroli has stepped up to the plate last minute to fill in certain events, competing in three this week.
Ehren Cheng will also bring a positive presence to the championship ice, participating in men's free skate and synchro. The Vancouver, B.C. native studying kinesiology received the highest presentation marks of the team and in addition to adding to the overall team dynamic, he will bring his standout performance quality to a championship-hungry team.
Just behind the Blues last time out, Western are once again a threat to top the podium in 2022, and as the last team other than the Blues to do so, the Mustangs are keen to bring home their first title since 2015 (16th overall).
The London team have a few key skaters who are looking forward to competing once again, while there are a number of new additions to the Western roster over the last two years who are eager to see what OUA competition is like. Among those returning are a trio of the 2020 gold-medal winning pairs four skaters - Clara Campbell (Toronto, Ont.), Madison Shaw (Oakville, Ont.), and Julia LaBella (Mississauga, Ont.).
The returning medalists know what it takes to skate their way to the top and will eye continued success when they go for gold once again in 2022, while the fourth member of the pairs four group, Natalie Li, will cheer them on as an assistant coach for the reigning silver medalist squad.
The bronze medalists from 2020, the McMaster Marauders, will also serve as hosts for the 2022 festivities, and the Hamilton squad is embracing the opportunity. "We are really looking forward to hosting the OUA Championship this year," said third-year skater Isabella Mancini. "It's been a difficult season, but we are excited to finally compete and show people everything we've been working on."
Mancini, the product of Burlington, Ont., has already seen what that type of work can lead to on the banner season stage, entering her third OUA finale having placed in the top three in each of her events at the last OUA competition. The team's co-captain since 2019 has been a national and international level competitor in singles and pairs skating beyond her tenure with the maroon machine and will once again turn to that experience will taking on the novice short program, open rhythm dance, freeskate fours, and synchro this week.
Kinesiology student and rookie skater Alistair Lam (Hamilton, Ont.) will also suit up for his hometown team and enters the varsity ranks as an immediate medal contender in the open men's freeskate event. Like his teammate, Lam also brings national competition experience to McMaster, having won a novice men's bronze medal in 2017 on the Canada-wide stage.
Even though they haven't cracked the top three in their last couple tries, the Brock Badgers are no strangers to figure skating success either, having reached the overall podium in both 2017 and 2018. Looking to lead the St. Catharines squad to those same podium-reaching heights this time around is a new coaching staff and several new student-athletes, but entering the provincial finale, the group is excited to hit the ice.
Said the team's collective coaching staff, "We are looking forward to showcasing what we've been working so hard for these past few months and express the passion for the sport on and off the ice at this year's OUA Championship".
One Badger who has epitomized this passion is Danielle Scurto, who is the heart of the Brock team. The Wehatley, Ont. native studying kinesiology is a huge support for her fellow teammates and her passion for figure skating is an inspiration to all. The three-year varsity captain has also translated that passion into podium performances, having won bronze in the 2020 finale for intermediate similar pairs, while also being a Star 10 invitation medalist.
Camille DeThomasis (London, Ont.), meanwhile, is a versatile and well-rounded first-year athlete. Her previous competitive skating has made her a strong asset to the Brock contingent, and as part of her OUA championship debut, she will showcase her multi-talented capabilities by competing in the gold solo dance, pairs four, open rhythm dance, and synchro.
Much like the Badgers will turn to their captain for championship success, the Queen's Gaels are also led by their fearless leaders. The fifth-place finishers from 2020 will see co-captains Trina Dykstra-MacPherson and Anna Ljungberg don the Tricolour once again for the Gaels when they head to Aylmer this week.
The former, a biochemistry major from Morrisburg, Ont., placed first in the 2019 fall invitational senior pairs event, while finishing second in the same event during the winter 2020 festivities. The OUA academic all-star and Skate Canada Challenge competitor also placed fourth at the last conference finale. The latter, meanwhile, took a step onto the OUA podium in 2020, bringing home the bronze in dance four at the event. The Burlington, Ont. native and academic all-star also brings national and international competition to the university stage.
Bringing credence to their name throughout the disruptions brought about by COVID-19, meanwhile, the Waterloo contingent have been Warriors throughout the past couple years. With several skaters driving from out of town to attend early morning practices, the team bonded over their commitment to the sport that they love and the spirit of team and competition.
Among those showcasing this incredible commitment and spirit are a pair of newcomers to the black and gold. Kaitlyn Brushey (Huntsville, Ont.) began skating when she was three-years old with her hometown skating club's CanSkate Program. Her competitive drive started in StarSkate, where she competed in singles freeskate and team elements events. Even though her small town didn't always have ice, forcing the nanotechnology engineering student to train in different cities during the spring and summer, her passion for the sport kept her involved and she is now poised to shine on the university scene.
Fellow first-year Jesse Wang got his start in skating with the intention of joining a hockey team; however, he has gone on to make his mark in figure skating thereafter. Gaining valuable experience early in his career and following a transition to the competitive/elite stream, the Mississauga, Ont. native studying chemistry has competed at numerous provincial and national events. His strong passion for the sport led him to the Warriors, where he looks to make the most of his championship debut, but he also continues to coach at the Milton Skating Club as a CanSkate coach.
Rounding out this weekend's skating squads are the Carleton Ravens, Guelph Gryphons, and Rams.
Kicking off the final week of the OUA's banner season, 14 events will hit the ice across the two days of competition, starting on Tuesday, March 29 at the East Elgin Community Complex.
2022 OUA Figure Skating Championship | Fan Guide
The drive for five ended with gold, and as the Varsity Blues start their search for six, they'll do so with a mix of veterans and newcomers hitting the ice. Coming off of another gold medal campaign in 2020, the team enters a bit of a rebuilding phase, but amidst both the senior and rookie contingents, the Blues have confidence in the team extending the banner-winning streak.
Anchoring the returnees is three-time OUA all-star Keiko Marshall, who has dazzled on the ice throughout her decorated varsity career. No stranger to the top of the podium, the fifth-year skater from Burlington, Ont. has collected four gold medals in her four previous championships, including back-to-back wins in the women's novice short program. Beyond her all-star performances, she has also racked up a four more medals over the year, bringing her career total to eight overall.
Marshall is poised to add to those lofty numbers heading into her fifth championship skate, entering this week's competition as the longest-tenured team member, who will compete in four events across the two days.
Standing out among the first-year additions is Marta Sellaroli, who comes to the Blues from Milan, Italy. The industrial engineering student formally represented her home country internationally and will draw on that experience for her debut OUA championship. Already making an impact on the team, Sellaroli has stepped up to the plate last minute to fill in certain events, competing in three this week.
Ehren Cheng will also bring a positive presence to the championship ice, participating in men's free skate and synchro. The Vancouver, B.C. native studying kinesiology received the highest presentation marks of the team and in addition to adding to the overall team dynamic, he will bring his standout performance quality to a championship-hungry team.
Just behind the Blues last time out, Western are once again a threat to top the podium in 2022, and as the last team other than the Blues to do so, the Mustangs are keen to bring home their first title since 2015 (16th overall).
The London team have a few key skaters who are looking forward to competing once again, while there are a number of new additions to the Western roster over the last two years who are eager to see what OUA competition is like. Among those returning are a trio of the 2020 gold-medal winning pairs four skaters - Clara Campbell (Toronto, Ont.), Madison Shaw (Oakville, Ont.), and Julia LaBella (Mississauga, Ont.).
The returning medalists know what it takes to skate their way to the top and will eye continued success when they go for gold once again in 2022, while the fourth member of the pairs four group, Natalie Li, will cheer them on as an assistant coach for the reigning silver medalist squad.
The bronze medalists from 2020, the McMaster Marauders, will also serve as hosts for the 2022 festivities, and the Hamilton squad is embracing the opportunity. "We are really looking forward to hosting the OUA Championship this year," said third-year skater Isabella Mancini. "It's been a difficult season, but we are excited to finally compete and show people everything we've been working on."
Mancini, the product of Burlington, Ont., has already seen what that type of work can lead to on the banner season stage, entering her third OUA finale having placed in the top three in each of her events at the last OUA competition. The team's co-captain since 2019 has been a national and international level competitor in singles and pairs skating beyond her tenure with the maroon machine and will once again turn to that experience will taking on the novice short program, open rhythm dance, freeskate fours, and synchro this week.
Kinesiology student and rookie skater Alistair Lam (Hamilton, Ont.) will also suit up for his hometown team and enters the varsity ranks as an immediate medal contender in the open men's freeskate event. Like his teammate, Lam also brings national competition experience to McMaster, having won a novice men's bronze medal in 2017 on the Canada-wide stage.
Even though they haven't cracked the top three in their last couple tries, the Brock Badgers are no strangers to figure skating success either, having reached the overall podium in both 2017 and 2018. Looking to lead the St. Catharines squad to those same podium-reaching heights this time around is a new coaching staff and several new student-athletes, but entering the provincial finale, the group is excited to hit the ice.
Said the team's collective coaching staff, "We are looking forward to showcasing what we've been working so hard for these past few months and express the passion for the sport on and off the ice at this year's OUA Championship".
One Badger who has epitomized this passion is Danielle Scurto, who is the heart of the Brock team. The Wehatley, Ont. native studying kinesiology is a huge support for her fellow teammates and her passion for figure skating is an inspiration to all. The three-year varsity captain has also translated that passion into podium performances, having won bronze in the 2020 finale for intermediate similar pairs, while also being a Star 10 invitation medalist.
Camille DeThomasis (London, Ont.), meanwhile, is a versatile and well-rounded first-year athlete. Her previous competitive skating has made her a strong asset to the Brock contingent, and as part of her OUA championship debut, she will showcase her multi-talented capabilities by competing in the gold solo dance, pairs four, open rhythm dance, and synchro.
Much like the Badgers will turn to their captain for championship success, the Queen's Gaels are also led by their fearless leaders. The fifth-place finishers from 2020 will see co-captains Trina Dykstra-MacPherson and Anna Ljungberg don the Tricolour once again for the Gaels when they head to Aylmer this week.
The former, a biochemistry major from Morrisburg, Ont., placed first in the 2019 fall invitational senior pairs event, while finishing second in the same event during the winter 2020 festivities. The OUA academic all-star and Skate Canada Challenge competitor also placed fourth at the last conference finale. The latter, meanwhile, took a step onto the OUA podium in 2020, bringing home the bronze in dance four at the event. The Burlington, Ont. native and academic all-star also brings national and international competition to the university stage.
Bringing credence to their name throughout the disruptions brought about by COVID-19, meanwhile, the Waterloo contingent have been Warriors throughout the past couple years. With several skaters driving from out of town to attend early morning practices, the team bonded over their commitment to the sport that they love and the spirit of team and competition.
Among those showcasing this incredible commitment and spirit are a pair of newcomers to the black and gold. Kaitlyn Brushey (Huntsville, Ont.) began skating when she was three-years old with her hometown skating club's CanSkate Program. Her competitive drive started in StarSkate, where she competed in singles freeskate and team elements events. Even though her small town didn't always have ice, forcing the nanotechnology engineering student to train in different cities during the spring and summer, her passion for the sport kept her involved and she is now poised to shine on the university scene.
Fellow first-year Jesse Wang got his start in skating with the intention of joining a hockey team; however, he has gone on to make his mark in figure skating thereafter. Gaining valuable experience early in his career and following a transition to the competitive/elite stream, the Mississauga, Ont. native studying chemistry has competed at numerous provincial and national events. His strong passion for the sport led him to the Warriors, where he looks to make the most of his championship debut, but he also continues to coach at the Milton Skating Club as a CanSkate coach.
Rounding out this weekend's skating squads are the Carleton Ravens, Guelph Gryphons, and Rams.
Kicking off the final week of the OUA's banner season, 14 events will hit the ice across the two days of competition, starting on Tuesday, March 29 at the East Elgin Community Complex.
